I have long coveted true vintage 1950s strapless sun tops. Bustier tops, bra tops, the whole shebang. While I don't really have many reasons to wear them, I always think they seem like the perfect thing to really jazz up a skirt in the summer, or spring and fall with a bolero on top, or wear for a nicer evening outfit. Original ones are rare to find and typically very pricey, which explains why I own exactly zero. So I ... Read more »
Sewing
Sewing a holy grail pattern
I found one of my holy grail sewing patterns this year! You'd think a "holy grail" pattern had to be some fancy couture or Polynesian number that sells for over $100 and is super rare at that, but nope. It's a simple sundress pattern, from 1945, Simplicity 2465. Some years back I saw the pattern without the numbers on it in some random image online somewhere, and was never able to put a pattern number to the ... Read more »
Red and cream gingham sundress
I've been really busy this spring and early summer, and blogging just hasn't been on the forefront of my mind lately. I go through periods when I just find the entire process of taking and collating photos complete and utter drudgery. Sure, taking half a dozen photos doesn't seem that annoying, but it usually takes 50 or more to even find just a few I'm happy enough with to post. Thankfully for you, I finally got ... Read more »
Inspiration finally, two years later
I'm back from vacation and I'm INSPIRED! Two years ago, we went through the looong process of transforming a large part of our basement into studio spaces for ourselves. Back then, I did a few posts on it—sharing the dirty 'lil before photos, the planning and build-out phase, and creating my dream cutting table. But I haven't shared anything about it since. The truth is, I absolutely love my sewing and craft space ... Read more »
A birthday dress with a back story
Another birthday, another birthday dress! I'm off on vacation so you get a scheduled post, but it's my birthday today! Hip hip! As I've done every year for 6 years now, I made myself a dress for my birthday. It's possible I'm not actually wearing this dress right now since I'm likely in the mountains hunting down a waterfall as you read this. But this year's birthday dress is one I really love and I'll be wearing it ... Read more »
Overalls of my dreams
While I was making my latest pair of jeans, I hatched another idea that I started working on slowly: a pair of overalls. And boooooy am I ever happy with them! It started like this. I really wanted to try a scooped out front pocket on a pair of 1950s style jeans. I mentioned that dilemma in my last jeans post of doing the slash pockets and some gaping. So while I was in a jeans mood, I wanted to try scooped pockets ... Read more »